Old Sho Owners Woes Vs Sho Hobbiests
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peglegtom
Member
My SHO is my DD to protect my Alfa
If you think getting parts or service for a SHO is a problem, try doing it for an Alfa. I use my SHO as my DD in the winter when the Alfa is in the garage, and split time between them in the spring, summer, and fall. Although similar, they are also very different. My Gen III is larger, has more passenger room, and is a better highway cruiser. The Alfa (a FWD, 3.0L,, 230 HP, 5 speed 4 Door sedan) is faster, handles better, and has a better "fun to drive" factor. So they are two different cars even if they are similar on paper (except for the auto vs. 5 speed).
This is my second Gen III SHO. I purchased it after the Alfa, when my first one had a major transmission problem. I could have bought a *** car that is probably faster and gets better mileage with a V6 and auto, but not with the same "panache!"
So does that put me in the enthusiast or DD catagory? I would say I'm somewheres in the middle. If my "newer" SHO pukes, I'll fix it. But when my "older" SHO puked, I looked at other cars, but came back to a SHO. I have to sometimes carry 4 passengers, so a large interior is a requirement. I cannot do that with the Alfa. If the "newer" SHO pukes after a few years, I'll have to again decide what to do, based upon the options available at that time. But a SHO would probably be a less likely option, since newer cars (approximatey 5 years old at the time) may be a better deal (price, power, seating capabilities, etc.).
I'm not a person that looks at a particular make or brand at the time I'm looking for a car (normally because the old one "puked".) I've had Chevys and Fords and Jeeps. I've helped others purchase Fords, GM, and Foreign brands. It depends upon what best meets my needs for a DD at the time. So if that makes me less of a SHO enthusiast, so be it. But to me, a SHO is a great car, but not one that will get big bucks at B-J 10 or 20 years from now. So now is the time to enjoy them, before parts become totally unavailable. (Ford can legally discontinue supporting the Gen III shows in 2009, and I think that they will drop it like a hot potato.) So parts will become much harder to find and maybe even harder than for the Alfa, which has a strong aftermarket and enthusiast supported parts network, even for even older cars).
If you think getting parts or service for a SHO is a problem, try doing it for an Alfa. I use my SHO as my DD in the winter when the Alfa is in the garage, and split time between them in the spring, summer, and fall. Although similar, they are also very different. My Gen III is larger, has more passenger room, and is a better highway cruiser. The Alfa (a FWD, 3.0L,, 230 HP, 5 speed 4 Door sedan) is faster, handles better, and has a better "fun to drive" factor. So they are two different cars even if they are similar on paper (except for the auto vs. 5 speed).
This is my second Gen III SHO. I purchased it after the Alfa, when my first one had a major transmission problem. I could have bought a *** car that is probably faster and gets better mileage with a V6 and auto, but not with the same "panache!"
So does that put me in the enthusiast or DD catagory? I would say I'm somewheres in the middle. If my "newer" SHO pukes, I'll fix it. But when my "older" SHO puked, I looked at other cars, but came back to a SHO. I have to sometimes carry 4 passengers, so a large interior is a requirement. I cannot do that with the Alfa. If the "newer" SHO pukes after a few years, I'll have to again decide what to do, based upon the options available at that time. But a SHO would probably be a less likely option, since newer cars (approximatey 5 years old at the time) may be a better deal (price, power, seating capabilities, etc.).
I'm not a person that looks at a particular make or brand at the time I'm looking for a car (normally because the old one "puked".) I've had Chevys and Fords and Jeeps. I've helped others purchase Fords, GM, and Foreign brands. It depends upon what best meets my needs for a DD at the time. So if that makes me less of a SHO enthusiast, so be it. But to me, a SHO is a great car, but not one that will get big bucks at B-J 10 or 20 years from now. So now is the time to enjoy them, before parts become totally unavailable. (Ford can legally discontinue supporting the Gen III shows in 2009, and I think that they will drop it like a hot potato.) So parts will become much harder to find and maybe even harder than for the Alfa, which has a strong aftermarket and enthusiast supported parts network, even for even older cars).
I purchased my 93 MTX only as a summer vehicle, It will not be driven in crappy weather. My DD is a 2002 Chevrolet ZR-2 EXT Cab with 82,000 rounds. I am so pathetically **** retentive about them being clean and even if it sprinkles I wash them. I am an enthusiast, I love the SHO, it is a Taurus yes but it is so unique. I am hoping that when my son gets to be old enough he will take an interest in it as well.
I looked for about 3 years before I found one that has been maintained and taken care of cosmetically. The only complaint I have about it is the cracked ETC buttons (easy fix). Oh and no floor mats but no big deal. I could only afford to spend 2800.00 so I knew that was going to be a long process to find one that had lower miles, clean interior not owned by a kid(sorry to the younger crowd) and maintenance records to prove it was kept up.
The owner had it listed for 3400.00 because it is very clean no dents at all and he sunk well over 2500.00 in the last three years (120k) Clutch, Valve Lash Adjustments, Tires, Brakes, and much more I can't remember off the top of my head. But since I was the only person interested in the whole car and not just the motor he hung onto it for me for 4 months and came down to 2800 what a guy (Thanks Mark!).
I know for a fact it needs plugs, wires, coil, belts (squeaky), alternator not really needed but just want to replace it, battery same as Alternator, tires. And a good engine bay cleaning (hopefully scare the Gremlins out). All of you are a wealth of knowledge and glad there is a place to for us to chat and help each other.
I looked for about 3 years before I found one that has been maintained and taken care of cosmetically. The only complaint I have about it is the cracked ETC buttons (easy fix). Oh and no floor mats but no big deal. I could only afford to spend 2800.00 so I knew that was going to be a long process to find one that had lower miles, clean interior not owned by a kid(sorry to the younger crowd) and maintenance records to prove it was kept up.
The owner had it listed for 3400.00 because it is very clean no dents at all and he sunk well over 2500.00 in the last three years (120k) Clutch, Valve Lash Adjustments, Tires, Brakes, and much more I can't remember off the top of my head. But since I was the only person interested in the whole car and not just the motor he hung onto it for me for 4 months and came down to 2800 what a guy (Thanks Mark!).
I know for a fact it needs plugs, wires, coil, belts (squeaky), alternator not really needed but just want to replace it, battery same as Alternator, tires. And a good engine bay cleaning (hopefully scare the Gremlins out). All of you are a wealth of knowledge and glad there is a place to for us to chat and help each other.
it always good to be an enthusiast of some kind, i like car shows and such, and wouldn't be scared to enter mine or both in one for that matter, like Vnuk did, i waited and found mine for 2500, was a firemans wifes car, and VERY upkept, down to replacing the back seat because it had a small tear...when i got it, it needed mufflers (rusted about 4 inch holes on the top of both) ans a new clutch as the one in it you had to go to the floor to shift, but alas, 3 months after replacing it, i got on it one day and that was the end of that...my 92 sits, i roll it out of its cubby hole for a start once in a while but still awaits a new clutch...(soon) while my 91 is waiting for a p/s pump...2nd 91 that blew one...
i sit on mine because i believe SOMEDAY they will be along the like of the GNX, or any other "modern" sportscar like vehicles in a museum of muscle...
i sit on mine because i believe SOMEDAY they will be along the like of the GNX, or any other "modern" sportscar like vehicles in a museum of muscle...Definately a DD and proud of it
I bought my first SHO, a 99 with 168k, 3 weeks ago knowing it needed some work. The day I bought it I barely got it through the 50 mile drive home as it needed an alternator desperately. I'm sure that most of you know that is not the most fun thing you can do on a Saturday afternoon in the driveway! It has developed a miss in cylinder 7 and last week I got the dreaded news that the transmission needed an overhaul. I didn't buy it with the intention of modding the daylights out of it, racing it or babying it. I absolutely love the car and I miss not driving it, even with all of it's sins. It is in the transmission shop now and I bought 4 coils assuming cylinder #7 is in the most inopportune place possible so might as well change them out. My SHO is proudly going to be a daily driver. I am not sure if that makes me an enthusiast or a glutton for punishment. Either way I am all set.
I bought my first SHO, a 99 with 168k, 3 weeks ago knowing it needed some work. The day I bought it I barely got it through the 50 mile drive home as it needed an alternator desperately. I'm sure that most of you know that is not the most fun thing you can do on a Saturday afternoon in the driveway! It has developed a miss in cylinder 7 and last week I got the dreaded news that the transmission needed an overhaul. I didn't buy it with the intention of modding the daylights out of it, racing it or babying it. I absolutely love the car and I miss not driving it, even with all of it's sins. It is in the transmission shop now and I bought 4 coils assuming cylinder #7 is in the most inopportune place possible so might as well change them out. My SHO is proudly going to be a daily driver. I am not sure if that makes me an enthusiast or a glutton for punishment. Either way I am all set.
I have a 99 SHO and it's a DD. Had the cams welded (let me tell you, once you do that you feel a big weight off your chest lietrally!) Only issue I've had was the SES, P1518 code and I changed out the IMRC and that was that. The ATX was totally rebuilt last year and those do tend to go out on these sooner or later. 88K on her stock engine with no mods.. Purrrs like a kitten and IMO is a very reliable DD.
Kilty423
Sho-fer
I have a 93 sho and i miss ever so much. It died on me back in June before carisle. Sho's are not the fastest cars but they certainly are impressive to drive.
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